System of A Down drummer John Dolmayan has disappointed fans today with the news that the prospective recording of a new album has stalled. Speaking to KROQ’s Ted Stryker last week, Dolmayan revealed “I don’t know if it’s ever gonna happen at this point.” You can check out the full interview below.

System of a Down haven’t released new music in 13 years, since the double bill of Mesmerise and Hypnotise in the latter half of 2005, and since returning to the stage after a hiatus in the early 2010s, fans have been feverishly hoping for news of another album coming their way, particularly after pictures of the band in the studio emerged as far back as late 2016.

Dolmayan admitted a stall in the album process, but admitted “I don’t like saying that, but you’ve gotta live in the realm of reality. And anything we do outside of System is never gonna be anywhere close to System. System is the best thing that anybody in System will ever do. But we still do other things.”

“It’s a complex question. You know I’m ready to go any time, and certain members of my band haven’t been able to make it work for themselves.”

Guitarist/vocalist Daron Malakian echoes this, telling Revolver magazine that the future remains very music uncertain for System, in terms of releasing new music.  “I can’t close the book on it and say it’s done forever. We still play live. We’re all still friends. It’s more a combination of where each person is at a different point in their life, and each person wants to do a different thing.”

He added: “There are some creative differences as well on what direction each one of us wants to take the next System album, if that ever happens. Which is fine. I’m not sitting here upset or anything. The only thing I’m a little frustrated with was waiting for that to maybe happen or not happen.”